Page 34 of Protecting his Heart

There weren’t many words spoken as they ate, his father concentrating on shovelling forkfuls of food into his mouth. Evan could barely swallow anything but tried his best. He knew from experience that his father would comment if he didn’t eat much, complaining that he didn’t appreciate his mother’s cooking.

When the main course was done, Evan gathered the plates while his mother plated the dessert. Sitting once more, he inhaled and said, “Could I please talk to you both?”

“Of course you can, dear,” his mother said.

Evan glanced at his father, who narrowed his eyes at him, but despite the panic weaving through him, he said, “I’m…I’m…gay,” he finished with a gasp.

His mother’s spoon clattered to the table. His father glared at him, carefully putting his spoon back in his bowl and wiping his hands on the napkin. Evan waited for any words to come from either of them. His entire body trembled, his teeth rattling so hard it echoed around his head.

His father put the napkin back down and sat back. Meeting Evan’s gaze, he said, “You have twenty minutes to pack whatever you can fit into the bags you own and get out of the house.”

Evan’s eyes filled, having never believed he would say it. Why was it okay that Dominic was gay but not Evan? “What?” he whispered.

“Twenty minutes and counting,” his father repeated.

Evan glanced at his mother, seeing her gaze on her bowl, but she didn’t refute his father’s words. His breathing increased, and he gaped at them.

“Nineteen minutes,” his father said.

Evan’s chair scraped across the floor as he stood, his mother flinching at the sound, and after one more glance at them both, he raced for the stairs. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks as he riffled through the wardrobe for his backpack and suitcase. Flinging them on the bed, he stumbled as he rushed to gather what he could of his clothes and toiletries. He could barely think what he needed, just throwing in whatever his hands touched.

“One minute!” his father bellowed up the stairs, and Evan’s heart pounded even as he cried harder.

Where was he going to live?

He zipped up his bags and carried them down the stairs. Slipping into his shoes and coat, he didn’t even look back as he exited the house. There was nothing for him there now.

“Evan!” his mother called, but he didn’t turn. Too little, too late.

He trudged down the streets, the frigid evening air freezing his tears on his cheeks. He strode up a path and knocked on the door.

Owen’s mum smiled at him before taking in his appearance and then pulled him inside.

“Come on. The guest room is already set up for you,” she said. “Owen is in his room. You go see him while I put your things away.”

They climbed the stairs, and at the top, Sally dragged him in for a hug. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to, Evan. Okay?” She met his gaze, cupping his cheek. “This is your home as much as ours now.”

Evan nodded but couldn’t reply, his throat blocked by all the emotions bubbling up inside him. Owen came out of his room with a frown.

“What’s happened?”

“Evan’s staying with us now. Go on. Watch a movie or something.” Sally pushed him towards Owen, and he went. He wasn’t sure what else to do.

His breath puffed in front of his face as he wiped away the memory, weaving his way through the streets, no idea where he was going but needing to walk off the shock by carefully blanking his thoughts from anything other than pleasant thoughts.

It must’ve been those thoughts that brought him to Sally’s door. Evan stared at it, not even knowing if she was at home because he didn’t know her shift pattern. He licked his lips, contemplating walking back home when the door opened.

“Evan? Everything okay?” Sally said.

Evan blinked at her, his voice gone, his head back to all those years ago. Instead, he shook his head.

“Oh, sweetheart. Come inside. You look freezing. Where’s the car?” She ushered him into the living room, taking his coat from him and pushing him onto the sofa. She dragged the blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around him, and the scent of home sank into him, clearing some of the fog. He stared at the fireplace, though the fire wasn’t burning like it would’ve been when they were younger, keeping the room nice and toasty. It was still warmer than outside, but not as hot as then.

Sally slid an arm around his back and rubbed up and down. “What happened, Evan?” she asked softly.

“I saw them.”

“Who?”

---